JACK BUTEL put a season of disappointment firmly behind him by claiming a second Jack Sears Trophy win in the British Touring Car Championship.
The Jerseyman had endured a torrid run in 2022, with numerous mechanical issues and racing incidents affecting his ability to challenge for points finishes. However, that would come to an end at Thruxton, as he ended the weekend as the highest-ranked Sears Trophy entrant, for drivers without a BTCC podium to their name.
Butel claimed 20th in round 22 of the campaign, before taking 21st and 15th in rounds 23 and 24. The latter earned him his first championship point of the season.
‘After the way the season had been going, the Jack Sears Trophy wasn’t even a thought coming into the weekend and my main goal was to get three finishes and see if we could push for a point,’ he said.
‘To cross the line and get the points finish we’ve been working so hard for was a really emotional moment, and that was before I came back into the pits and the team told me I’d won the trophy. That was just the icing on the cake, and a real boost to now take into the final rounds.
‘Words can’t describe how tough this year has been, as my girlfriend, Vicky, had been ill since February and then dad fell ill – so it’s been one of the worst years possible off track.’
The 2022 season ends with trips to Silverstone and Brands Hatch, on 24-25 September and 8-9 October, respectively.
